Blue Bombers Forum

The Extra Point => Blue Bomber & CFL Discussion Forum => Topic started by: bwiser on June 06, 2026, 02:40:09 PM

Title: Expansion
Post by: bwiser on June 06, 2026, 02:40:09 PM
Expansion has come up again in the CFL. This time however Quebec City is rumoured to be the location the CFL is looking at. IT makes a lot more sense than Atlantic Canada. Quebec City is a city about the same size as Winnipeg with no professional sports team and a natural rival to the Als. Quebec City has a lot more money than Atlantic Canada. They will need a stadium which is the biggest hurdle but stay tuned.
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: Jesse on June 06, 2026, 02:58:54 PM
Stadium is the only hurdle. Anyone will take a free team once that's out of the way. But no one can get one built.

We'll see, but the obvious outcome of many of these changes we've seen has been about making the league more appealing to owners.
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: Blue In BC on June 06, 2026, 03:03:27 PM
Quebec City would be an excellent choice. Having potential financial interest to build a stadium is a key aspect. Is there a temporary site that could be used in the short term if building a new stadium is confirmed?

In theory, a team in 2028 could be feasible if those things fall into place. Temporary stands could be used to expand an interim stadium ( as in Empire Stadium in 2010-2011 ).

A 2nd Quebec team would be great rivalry. I like the idea.
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: Blueforlife on June 06, 2026, 03:50:50 PM
Who ever had the best stadium and business plan, I don't care where.

Slightly favour Quebec city.

When I retire I want to visit all venues.  Quebec city would he epic.
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 06, 2026, 05:32:11 PM
Quote from: Blue In BC on June 06, 2026, 03:03:27 PMQuebec City would be an excellent choice. Having potential financial interest to build a stadium is a key aspect. Is there a temporary site that could be used in the short term if building a new stadium is confirmed?

In theory, a team in 2028 could be feasible if those things fall into place. Temporary stands could be used to expand an interim stadium ( as in Empire Stadium in 2010-2011 ).

A 2nd Quebec team would be great rivalry. I like the idea.

From the CFL data base.

Quebec City – Telus Stadium/Stadé TELUS-Université Laval (PEPS Stadium)
In 2008, interested CFL franchise investors in Quebec City attempted to get the federal government to help fund an expansion of Université Laval's PEPS Stadium to bring it up to a minimum capacity of 25,000. The federal government denied the use of public funds for this purpose however. Quebec City's most affordable and best use of current resources is to expand the college stadium to minimum CFL standards. This was expected to cost between $40 and $80 million in 2008 funds. A lack of federal government funding excludes the cooperation of the Université Laval, forcing the investors to look at an alternative site, $75 to $125 million (2008 estimates) in construction costs and a city, provincial and private partnership to build a new stadium, which is very unlikely in the present climate.

Constructed in 1994, PEPS Stadium was the site of a CFL pre-season game between the Ottawa Renegades and Montreal Alouettes in 2003 with 10,358 in attendance. The largest attended event hosted by the stadium is a Université Laval football game at 19,500.

The stadium was renamed with a naming rights sponsorship agreement with TELUS in 2011. The sporting complex maintains the name PEPS (Pavillon de l'éducation physique et des sports de l'Université Laval). Capacity was increased from 10,200 to the current 12,257 in 2009. In four Vanier Cup championships hosted between 2009 and 2015, average attendance was almost 16,500 per game.
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: Blue In BC on June 06, 2026, 05:38:12 PM
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 06, 2026, 05:32:11 PMFrom the CFL data base.

Quebec City – Telus Stadium/Stadé TELUS-Université Laval (PEPS Stadium)
In 2008, interested CFL franchise investors in Quebec City attempted to get the federal government to help fund an expansion of Université Laval's PEPS Stadium to bring it up to a minimum capacity of 25,000. The federal government denied the use of public funds for this purpose however. Quebec City's most affordable and best use of current resources is to expand the college stadium to minimum CFL standards. This was expected to cost between $40 and $80 million in 2008 funds. A lack of federal government funding excludes the cooperation of the Université Laval, forcing the investors to look at an alternative site, $75 to $125 million (2008 estimates) in construction costs and a city, provincial and private partnership to build a new stadium, which is very unlikely in the present climate.

Constructed in 1994, PEPS Stadium was the site of a CFL pre-season game between the Ottawa Renegades and Montreal Alouettes in 2003 with 10,358 in attendance. The largest attended event hosted by the stadium is a Université Laval football game at 19,500.

The stadium was renamed with a naming rights sponsorship agreement with TELUS in 2011. The sporting complex maintains the name PEPS (Pavillon de l'éducation physique et des sports de l'Université Laval). Capacity was increased from 10,200 to the current 12,257 in 2009. In four Vanier Cup championships hosted between 2009 and 2015, average attendance was almost 16,500 per game.

An expansion of a stadium would be the least costly and quickest to modify if the money is available. I did get the impression that the investors were speaking of a new stadium as part of a sports complex.
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: jets4life on June 08, 2026, 02:32:54 AM
The way attendance has been lately, I can only conclude that Canadian cities are going to start to favor soccer stadiums over football stadiums. New venues in Calgary, Montreal, Quebec, or even Edmonton would probably be build in hopes of attracting an MLS team over a CFL team. More of an upside.
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 08, 2026, 03:20:25 AM
Quote from: jets4life on June 08, 2026, 02:32:54 AMThe way attendance has been lately, I can only conclude that Canadian cities are going to start to favor soccer stadiums over football stadiums. New venues in Calgary, Montreal, Quebec, or even Edmonton would probably be build in hopes of attracting an MLS team over a CFL team. More of an upside.


....and yet the Vancouver Whitecaps who are apparently quite popular are threatening to leave for Vegas if they don't receive a huge dose of government money.
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: LXTSN on June 08, 2026, 01:46:58 PM
Next closest to Quebec City would be a Maritimes team, probably in Halifax. They have a population of 440k, which is 13th largest population in Canada. With no other (major) sports team, so I think they would get behind a CFL team. Their largest stadium is Huskies stadium, and that seats about 9k people. It's not enough for a CFL team to make any profit, and unfortunately, there isn't much room to expand. They would likely need to build a stadium for this team, somewhere on the outskirts.

Quebec City has a population of 550k, which is the 12th larges population in Canada. They have a stadium that can currently hold about 13k people, but they have a plan that would expand to a maximum of 25k if funding was approved.

Both options would require some big capital upfront, or they would just have to settle for consistently low attendance rate.
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: Waffler on June 08, 2026, 02:37:27 PM
Expansion is just a patch. A new stadium opens up more revenue opportunities. I use Winnipeg stadium vs PAS as an example. The only issue I see would be size and sight lines. Is the new field size going to happen? How long will it last? I pity the people sitting on the sideline, past the end zone. This will happen unless major renovations take place all over the league.
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: theaardvark on June 08, 2026, 03:22:51 PM
I still think that London might be in the running, if they can find an ownership group.  633K greater metro, with a very strong college program that could share a facility (currently 11k max, with room to expand, and can fit the new CFL field).

Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: RebusRankin on June 08, 2026, 04:42:09 PM
The Maritimes aren't going to work. No stadium, no political will or money to build a stadium, no ownership group.
Quebec City works if they can get a stadium.
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 08, 2026, 05:13:58 PM
Quote from: Waffler on June 08, 2026, 02:37:27 PMExpansion is just a patch. A new stadium opens up more revenue opportunities. I use Winnipeg stadium vs PAS as an example. The only issue I see would be size and sight lines. Is the new field size going to happen? How long will it last? I pity the people sitting on the sideline, past the end zone. This will happen unless major renovations take place all over the league.

25k is probably 5 maybe 10k too many seats, I think the days of huge stadiums are over, no one wants to pay for them and the experience from the top row isn't worth the price of admission.  I remember going to a Rolling Stones concert in Canad Stadium back in the 90's and realizing I spent more time watching Mick Jagger on the big screen than looking at him directly.

Wpg is now the outlier in the CFL, even Sask. isn't able to fill their stadium more than once a season, thanks to traveling Bomber fans. Covid seems to have really killed a lot of CFL fans desire to attend games in person, hopefully the CFL can generate enough revenue off media sales and streaming rights to better supplement their income as a gate driven league.
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: LXTSN on June 08, 2026, 06:33:26 PM
Quote from: RebusRankin on June 08, 2026, 04:42:09 PMThe Maritimes aren't going to work. No stadium, no political will or money to build a stadium, no ownership group.
Quebec City works if they can get a stadium.
That's the first I'm learning about this, but I dug in a little and you're right! That sucks lol
I do feel like they would show up for games better that Quebec City, and almost for sure better than London.
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: BIGBLUE204 on June 08, 2026, 06:58:01 PM
Maritimes always was and will likely always be a pipe dream. It's just not going to happen.
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: TBURGESS on June 08, 2026, 08:01:03 PM
Expansion itself has always been a pipe dream. The only one since the 60's was to the US and we all know how that turned out. 
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: LXTSN on June 08, 2026, 08:09:47 PM
Quote from: TBURGESS on June 08, 2026, 08:01:03 PMExpansion itself has always been a pipe dream. The only one since the 60's was to the US and we all know how that turned out.
Are we not counting Ottawa in 2014? Not that it's been a HUGE success but they are still around 12 years later.
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: blue_gold_84 on June 08, 2026, 08:39:39 PM
Quote from: LXTSN on June 08, 2026, 08:09:47 PMAre we not counting Ottawa in 2014? Not that it's been a HUGE success but they are still around 12 years later.

That's just Ottawa's third kick at the can; they had the Rough Riders and then the Renegades. I don't think the RedBlacks technically qualify as an expansion team in the sense that expanding into cities like Halifax, Quebec City, or London would.
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: Blueforlife on June 08, 2026, 08:46:21 PM
If you build it, they will come  ;)
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: dd on June 08, 2026, 11:13:23 PM
After seeing the dismal crowds at Hamilton and Calgary, I wouldn't worry about expansion, I'd be more worried about why there isn't more people attending games---especially the home openers. This isn't the dead of July when everyone's on holidays and at the lake, its June 4th and stadiums are half full. Add to that the traditionally brutally low crowds in Toronto and Edmonton, you have half the league with attendance problems.
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 09, 2026, 12:35:46 AM
Quote from: dd on June 08, 2026, 11:13:23 PMAfter seeing the dismal crowds at Hamilton and Calgary, I wouldn't worry about expansion, I'd be more worried about why there isn't more people attending games---especially the home openers. This isn't the dead of July when everyone's on holidays and at the lake, its June 4th and stadiums are half full. Add to that the traditionally brutally low crowds in Toronto and Edmonton, you have half the league with attendance problems.

I wouldn't even call them half full, there's no density at all. some rows have 2 or 3 people most have none.
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: VictorRomano on June 09, 2026, 02:14:32 PM
I would prefer to see expansion into Saskatoon, so that the Bombers have another Saskatchewan team to smash.  Just sayin.
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: bomb squad on June 09, 2026, 03:03:00 PM
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 08, 2026, 05:13:58 PM25k is probably 5 maybe 10k too many seats, I think the days of huge stadiums are over, no one wants to pay for them and the experience from the top row isn't worth the price of admission.  I remember going to a Rolling Stones concert in Canad Stadium back in the 90's and realizing I spent more time watching Mick Jagger on the big screen than looking at him directly.

Wpg is now the outlier in the CFL, even Sask. isn't able to fill their stadium more than once a season, thanks to traveling Bomber fans. Covid seems to have really killed a lot of CFL fans desire to attend games in person, hopefully the CFL can generate enough revenue off media sales and streaming rights to better supplement their income as a gate driven league.

The CFL isn't as popular as it should be. That's the problem. Not the view from the top row of the stadium.
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 09, 2026, 05:06:11 PM
Quote from: bomb squad on June 09, 2026, 03:03:00 PMThe CFL isn't as popular as it should be. That's the problem. Not the view from the top row of the stadium.

Do you realistically think Calgary, Edmonton or Toronto will ever fill their stadiums again?  If a new stadium is built with public money within the next decade, sustainability should be put before unrealistic expectations of growth.
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: markf on June 09, 2026, 06:13:45 PM
The Maritimes.... I haven't been there, I really do not have any idea about the way things are in Nova Scotia New Brunswick, PEI, Nfld.

It seems quite cut off from the rest of Canada. I just don't hear about the goings on there very much. At least compared to the  other provinces.

Why would they not want a CFL team?  My thinking is the public just isn't interested.

Do maritimers mainly follow NFL and NHL maybe? Maybe more interested in local minor league sports?


There are People there to whom the cost of a stadium would be pocket change.
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: VictorRomano on June 09, 2026, 06:56:02 PM
Quote from: markf on June 09, 2026, 06:13:45 PMThere are People there to whom the cost of a stadium would be pocket change.


Just like David Thompson in Winnipeg with the Jets, the Irving family could put a new stadium in the Maritimes and it would a rounding error to them.
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: blue_gold_84 on June 09, 2026, 07:58:57 PM
I'm sure if the Irvings were interested in owning a CFL franchise and/or building a stadium, either one or both would've happened by now.

Hoarding wealth in offshore accounts seems more up that family's alley, though.
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 09, 2026, 08:08:58 PM
Quote from: markf on June 09, 2026, 06:13:45 PMThe Maritimes.... I haven't been there, I really do not have any idea about the way things are in Nova Scotia New Brunswick, PEI, Nfld.

It seems quite cut off from the rest of Canada. I just don't hear about the goings on there very much. At least compared to the  other provinces.

Why would they not want a CFL team?  My thinking is the public just isn't interested.

Do maritimers mainly follow NFL and NHL maybe? Maybe more interested in local minor league sports?


There are People there to whom the cost of a stadium would be pocket change.


Not so much the place but possibly the wrong time, if they would have established a team in the 60's the CFL would be well entrenched in the Maritimes.  Now with streaming and social media football fans can follow any team they like.  I imagine a lot of Maritimers follow the NE Patriots closely if not attend games.
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: markf on June 09, 2026, 10:34:49 PM
Quote from: VictorRomano on June 09, 2026, 06:56:02 PMJust like David Thompson in Winnipeg with the Jets, the Irving family could put a new stadium in the Maritimes and it would a rounding error to them.

Yep.
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: theaardvark on June 09, 2026, 11:15:56 PM
There has to be something in it for the wealthy to invest in a what is most likely a losing venture, like a CFL team.  You need someone like Gary Stern, where the investment was a small compensation for the joy he got from the team.  Or a Bob Young.  Or John Candy.

It still would be a great get if after the UFL folds again, we could get someone like The Rock involved in the CFL.
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: Jesse on June 09, 2026, 11:32:20 PM
Quote from: markf on June 09, 2026, 06:13:45 PMThe Maritimes.... I haven't been there, I really do not have any idea about the way things are in Nova Scotia New Brunswick, PEI, Nfld.

It seems quite cut off from the rest of Canada. I just don't hear about the goings on there very much. At least compared to the  other provinces.

Why would they not want a CFL team?  My thinking is the public just isn't interested.

Do maritimers mainly follow NFL and NHL maybe? Maybe more interested in local minor league sports?


There are People there to whom the cost of a stadium would be pocket change.


The public isn't interested in funding a stadium. The politician that goes through with such a project might as well forfeit the next election.
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: Tecno on June 10, 2026, 01:04:33 AM
Quote from: markf on June 09, 2026, 06:13:45 PMWhy would they not want a CFL team?  My thinking is the public just isn't interested.

There is also no money in the maritimes.  The people don't have a ton left over at the end of the day to buy CFL tickets.  And that's saying a lot coming from a 'Pegger!
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: Tecno on June 10, 2026, 01:07:32 AM
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 09, 2026, 05:06:11 PMDo you realistically think Calgary, Edmonton or Toronto will ever fill their stadiums again?

I think CGY could if they start winning a lot again.  If any demo is right for CFL, it's CGY.  But I think they need to do the new stadium, as it would renew interest, and get some of the stragglers to come back into the huddle.  That's kind of what happened with me and IGF.

Not sure if I'm correct, but since CGY used to fill the stands pretty regularly, wouldn't have they have had better attendance in, say, 2007-2012 than WPG had in the old barn??  Refresh the product by refreshing the stadium.  People like shiny new things.
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: Tecno on June 10, 2026, 01:10:47 AM
Quote from: VictorRomano on June 09, 2026, 02:14:32 PMI would prefer to see expansion into Saskatoon, so that the Bombers have another Saskatchewan team to smash.  Just sayin.

It sounds so good, but then you realize it would probably instantly drop the Mosaic STH base by a few thousand.  It's like if you build a Tim Hortons 1km from another Tim Hortons.  You don't actually double the total sales, you actually cannibalize some of the customers.

The question would be if the combined market would be bigger and if Riders would be fine with losing all those fans.

If they do expand there, I hope they name the team the Berries!!  ;D  ;D
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: Tecno on June 10, 2026, 01:13:36 AM
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 08, 2026, 05:13:58 PMthe experience from the top row isn't worth the price of admission.

Hey, don't diss the top row!  Us top-row(ish)ers wouldn't want to sit anywhere else!  I've sat everywhere -- there is no better place/view for someone actually wanting to concentrate on the game.
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: Tecno on June 10, 2026, 01:15:01 AM
Quote from: Waffler on June 08, 2026, 02:37:27 PMI pity the people sitting on the sideline, past the end zone. This will happen unless major renovations take place all over the league.

But Aards assured us with Johnston math (TM) that all sightlines improve with the 100Y field.

:D  :D  :D  :P
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: Sir Blue and Gold on June 10, 2026, 02:04:09 AM
Quote from: Tecno on June 10, 2026, 01:15:01 AMBut Aards assured us with Johnston math (TM) that all sightlines improve with the 100Y field.

:D  :D  :D  :P

Maybe let's wait and see what the Bombers actually do and how they'll utilize/format the additional space before pretending that you're so much better at understanding what will happen that it's something you can scoff at?

I'm sure the Bombers will turn it into an advantage somehow. They're pretty good at the game day experience and to everyone's credit they'll have had two years to scenario plan.

Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: Jesse on June 10, 2026, 02:19:49 AM
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on June 10, 2026, 02:04:09 AMMaybe let's wait and see what the Bombers actually do and how they'll utilize/format the additional space before pretending that you're so much better at understanding what will happen that it's something you can scoff at?

I'm sure the Bombers will turn it into an advantage somehow. They're pretty good at the game day experience and to everyone's credit they'll have had two years to scenario plan.



It doesn't matter how they use the additional space. The stadium was build for the current sized field and the change in field size will mean some seats are further away.

No way around that.
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: Waffler on June 10, 2026, 02:52:02 PM
Quote from: markf on June 09, 2026, 06:13:45 PMThe Maritimes.... I haven't been there, I really do not have any idea about the way things are in Nova Scotia New Brunswick, PEI, Nfld.

It seems quite cut off from the rest of Canada.

My understanding is that the population is spread out, no major city that would be the obvious choice.  And it's not like Regina where a medium/longish drive is possible. They have islands. Travel between them is not convenient. Attendance will be a problem just due to the geography.
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: blue_gold_84 on June 10, 2026, 05:29:04 PM
Quote from: Waffler on June 10, 2026, 02:52:02 PMMy understanding is that the population is spread out, no major city that would be the obvious choice.  And it's not like Regina where a medium/longish drive is possible. They have islands. Travel between them is not convenient. Attendance will be a problem just due to the geography.

I'm not sure where you found that information, but getting around the Maritime provinces is hardly inconvenient. Like any other part of Canada, it does require the privilege of a car to get around as easily as possible.

Highways connect the urban areas like any other region in Canada. Smaller cities like Truro and New Glasgow are within 90 mins. by car to Halifax, similar to going from Brandon to Winnipeg. Sydney is closer to Halifax than Regina is to Winnipeg. Even outside of NS, cities like Fredericton, Moncton, Saint John, and Charlottetown are within 5 hours by car. The two islands are accessible by car: PEI is connected to the mainland by the Confederation Bridge and Cape Breton is connected to Nova Scotia by the Canso Causeway.

The Halifax Regional Municipality has a population over 500K, making it the most logical choice for CFL expansion into the Maritimes. And it's an incredible city with a rich history and tons to see and do.

If you've never been, I'd highly, highly recommend it. It's a uniquely beautiful part of this vast country. And the people there are wonderful. And while I doubt it happens any time soon, I'd love one day to go see the Bombers play the Schooners in Halifax.
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 10, 2026, 05:48:18 PM
Quote from: blue_gold_84 on June 10, 2026, 05:29:04 PMI'm not sure where you found that information, but getting around the Maritime provinces is hardly inconvenient. Like any other part of Canada, it does require the privilege of a car to get around as easily as possible.

Highways connect the urban areas like any other region in Canada. Smaller cities like Truro and New Glasgow are within 90 mins. by car to Halifax, similar to going from Brandon to Winnipeg. Sydney is closer to Halifax than Regina is to Winnipeg. Even outside of NS, cities like Fredericton, Moncton, Saint John, and Charlottetown are within 5 hours by car. The two islands are accessible by car: PEI is connected to the mainland by the Confederation Bridge and Cape Breton is connected to Nova Scotia by the Canso Causeway.

The Halifax Regional Municipality has a population over 500K, making it the most logical choice for CFL expansion into the Maritimes. And it's an incredible city with a rich history and tons to see and do.

If you've never been, I'd highly, highly recommend it. It's a uniquely beautiful part of this vast country. And the people there are wonderful. And while I doubt it happens any time soon, I'd love one day to go see the Bombers play the Schooners in Halifax.

Sounds nice but I think 85% of attendance has to come from the local area, not many people are going to drive 90 minutes to attend games on a bi-weekly basis, never mind coming from 4-5 hours away.  How many Bomber fans drive in from Brandon or further? People from that far may attend 1 or 2 games a year but unlikely to ever buy season tickets. 

The drive between Saskatoon and Regina is 3 hours, I think the Riders have a hard time drawing from that city now as driving 6 hours in one day and getting home late can mess with the entire work week if not retired.
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: blue_gold_84 on June 10, 2026, 06:12:58 PM
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 10, 2026, 05:48:18 PMSounds nice but I think 85% of attendance has to come from the local area...

What is your rationale for 85%? What would be the stadium capacity in this scenario?

To address the rest of your reply, I was simply trying to point out that getting around the Maritimes isn't difficult when compared to the rest of Canada, either in terms of its geography or population distribution.
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 10, 2026, 07:18:26 PM
Quote from: blue_gold_84 on June 10, 2026, 06:12:58 PMWhat is your rationale for 85%? What would be the stadium capacity in this scenario?


It would be great if they could sustain a team in a cozy 15-18k seat stadium, the rest of the income coming from other sources.  Public ownership over private would be preferable but that would probably be voted down by the private owners on the BOG.

Interesting interview with Lion's owner Amar Doman discussing the CFL's current situation and future prospects.


Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: bomb squad on June 10, 2026, 09:25:16 PM
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 09, 2026, 05:06:11 PMDo you realistically think Calgary, Edmonton or Toronto will ever fill their stadiums again?  If a new stadium is built with public money within the next decade, sustainability should be put before unrealistic expectations of growth.
No. But realistically they could fill one with a size closer to that of ours. Not one half the size, like you floated. That's not even worth considering. At all.
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 10, 2026, 11:21:52 PM
Quote from: bomb squad on June 10, 2026, 09:25:16 PMNo. But realistically they could fill one with a size closer to that of ours. Not one half the size, like you floated. That's not even worth considering. At all.

I was referring to a new stadium if built in the Maritimes, but of those 3 other locations only Edmonton has a bigger stadium than Wpg.
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: Blueforlife on June 10, 2026, 11:48:13 PM
Quote from: Tecno on June 10, 2026, 01:13:36 AMHey, don't diss the top row!  Us top-row(ish)ers wouldn't want to sit anywhere else!  I've sat everywhere -- there is no better place/view for someone actually wanting to concentrate on the game.

Birds eye view baby, top row centre
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: Blueforlife on June 10, 2026, 11:50:06 PM
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on June 10, 2026, 02:04:09 AMMaybe let's wait and see what the Bombers actually do and how they'll utilize/format the additional space before pretending that you're so much better at understanding what will happen that it's something you can scoff at?

I'm sure the Bombers will turn it into an advantage somehow. They're pretty good at the game day experience and to everyone's credit they'll have had two years to scenario plan.


The spin (🌈) on this would make any politician proud.  Agree with none of the "wisdom" said here.
Quote from: Jesse on June 10, 2026, 02:19:49 AMIt doesn't matter how they use the additional space. The stadium was build for the current sized field and the change in field size will mean some seats are further away.

No way around that.
A factual representation of reality is presented above imo.  Agree all, well said, well written.  Being farther from the field for some seats will suck.
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: Tecno on June 11, 2026, 01:36:52 AM
Quote from: blue_gold_84 on June 10, 2026, 05:29:04 PMIf you've never been, I'd highly, highly recommend it. It's a uniquely beautiful part of this vast country. And the people there are wonderful.

I can second that.  Always nice to visit the maritimes.  Haven't been since the kids arrived.  Maybe time to take them...
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: Tecno on June 11, 2026, 01:38:31 AM
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on June 10, 2026, 02:04:09 AMMaybe let's wait and see what the Bombers actually do and how they'll utilize/format the additional space before pretending that you're so much better at understanding what will happen that it's something you can scoff at?

I think the general idea is to put on-field premium seating down there.  Like TOR had in prior years on the non-bench side.

That's all well and good for the richest of us, but does nothing to help the people sitting in the existing EZ sections!
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: bomb squad on June 11, 2026, 02:56:11 AM
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 10, 2026, 11:21:52 PMI was referring to a new stadium if built in the Maritimes, but of those 3 other locations only Edmonton has a bigger stadium than Wpg.

Calgary's is bigger I believe. 34k-35k.

The CFL has got a lot of work to do. They have to get people back into these stadiums. They have the product and they have the potential. It's realistic. And things go in cycles.

Status quo is not acceptable. If anybody in the leadership of the league or the teams is thinking that way, they need to go.

As for a new stadium. 22k. Minimum. Anywhere. Expansion or not. Otherwise, don't bother.
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: Blueforlife on June 11, 2026, 02:59:32 AM
Quote from: Tecno on June 11, 2026, 01:38:31 AMI think the general idea is to put on-field premium seating down there.  Like TOR had in prior years on the non-bench side.

That's all well and good for the richest of us, but does nothing to help the people sitting in the existing EZ sections!

Would be ok, site lines would suck for half the game and yes would bring in a decent amount of cake.
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: 55StickCar on June 11, 2026, 05:15:46 AM
Quote from: Tecno on June 10, 2026, 01:10:47 AMIt sounds so good, but then you realize it would probably instantly drop the Mosaic STH base by a few thousand.  It's like if you build a Tim Hortons 1km from another Tim Hortons.  You don't actually double the total sales, you actually cannibalize some of the customers.

The question would be if the combined market would be bigger and if Riders would be fine with losing all those fans.

If they do expand there, I hope they name the team the Berries!!  ;D  ;D

Saskatoon already has a baseball team called the berries.
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: Tecno on June 11, 2026, 06:14:43 AM
Quote from: 55StickCar on June 11, 2026, 05:15:46 AMSaskatoon already has a baseball team called the berries.

No. Way.  :o  :P  :P
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: blue_gold_84 on June 11, 2026, 01:39:59 PM
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 10, 2026, 07:18:26 PMIt would be great if they could sustain a team in a cozy 15-18k seat stadium...

IIRC, the proposed stadium capacity by Maritime Football Ltd. at the Shannon Park location was 24K.

For the sake of the discussion, I think a stadium between 20-24K would be ideal for Maritime expansion in terms of its versatility and feasibility.

I maintain there'd be a team in Halifax if not for the dreadful year that was 2020.
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: LXTSN on June 11, 2026, 01:47:39 PM
Quote from: Tecno on June 11, 2026, 01:36:52 AMI can second that.  Always nice to visit the maritimes.  Haven't been since the kids arrived.  Maybe time to take them...
Nova Scotia was one of the best places I've traveled. Everywhere you turn is beautiful there.
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: bomberjunkie on June 11, 2026, 02:19:34 PM
I don't know if any of you have seen Hamilton's endzone Porter Hangar yet, but people sitting near it in the 100s can't see the lone scoreboard due to the roof. Talk about making the fan experience lousy.
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: Blueforlife on June 11, 2026, 03:47:51 PM
Quote from: Tecno on June 11, 2026, 06:14:43 AMNo. Way.  :o  :P  :P
they were going to call them the dingle berries but that didn't fly LOL
Title: Re: Expansion
Post by: theaardvark on June 11, 2026, 08:24:10 PM
Quote from: Blueforlife on June 11, 2026, 03:47:51 PMthey were going to call them the dingle berries but that didn't fly LOL

That's the soccer team in Dingle Ireland...